I know, it's been over a month since I posted anything new. My calendar keeps reminding me that I should add some news for those who have been following our journey. Truth is, I'm not sure what to tell...
We are settled into our apartment (as I look around, the boxes that remain to be unpacked are my share of our home office) and learning our way around Mobile (it's about twice as big as Columbia, but only about half as big as Charlotte, so it's not at all overwhelming to us, but we certainly haven't seen it all yet). The big traffic jams all seem to occur on Airport Blvd, so if you can avoid that one street, traffic rarely slows you down significantly - except maybe in school zones first thing in the morning! We have found our way to the major hospitals to visit members of the congregation, and have found the essential post office, grocery store, pharmacy, etc.
There are some beautiful and quaint neighborhoods that I look forward to exploring when it gets a bit cooler. We've made one trip down to the beach and plan to go again when it is cooler. Detect a theme? The heat and humidity have sapped my energy. Most days since we have been here have topped 90 degrees. Just this past week it has finally dipped below 60 at night and highs are only forecast in the 80s. We will really enjoy being outside more after it cools down a bit!
Talked to someone on the phone today, explaining that Monday is our day off. "So what are you doing?" came the question. We then explained that we had a really exciting day planned: after doing some housework, we were going out to visit the local public library, pick up something at Radio Shack, find a Chinese buffet for a late lunch, then grocery shop. Later in the afternoon, we took Smokey across the street to the park for a walk. Quiet, relaxing, very normal day.
Some days are like that, others are much more busy. Our internship so far has been both exhilarating and exasperating; sometimes in the same day! We are pulled in two directions - responsibilities and activities at the church AND needs and meetings at LDR. We are trying to be good stewards of our time and of resources, especially since it's about a thirty minute drive between the two places. But so far, balance between the two has been very difficult to attain.
It's been important to set a schedule, so that that others will know when and where we will be and what we will be doing, yet it is very difficult to firm up that schedule, since there are conflicting demands. I know, normal experiences for an intern, typical too of a pastor's schedule. Yet the division of responsibilities makes it even harder, keeps me feeling scattered and disorganized. Those who know me, know that I don't like feeling that way, so I've not been very - shall I say happy ?- about the situation.
I'm praying that as the days and weeks turn into months, and we continue to settle into our duties, that we will be better able to balance the conflicting demands, because I know that all the needs, responsibilities, activities, and meetings won't go away! And I don't want them to, because they have also brought great joy. Visiting church members, preaching, helping with case work at LDR, and leading worship have all been great experiences - and I look forward to more of those opportunities as the year goes on.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Sticks and Stones
NET Mark 7:15 "There is nothing outside of a person that can defile him by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles him."
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
How many of us learned this when we were kids? Or taught it to our kids? Or Grandkids? It sounds good, and it may make us feel better at the time, but it really isn't true.
Too many people suffer from verbal abuse - kids, spouses, employees - at the hands of other kids, parents, spouses, in-laws, fellow employees, or bosses. The truth is, words can hurt. They hurt the one who hears them, and they hurt the one who says them.
The sad thing about words, is that we really can't take them back. We say we take them back; we really did not mean what we said. But once the words leave your mouth - they are out there - forever. You cannot take them back, make the other person un-hear them.
Jesus tells the Pharisees, and again later, his disciples, about this. The Pharisees have harassed Jesus and his followers about how they eat, how they do not follow the rituals for handwashing, and bowl washing, or anything of the rituals used to prepare one for eating. They defile the food they eat by eating with unclean hands.
Jesus tells them - it is not what you eat, or how you eat it, that makes you unclean - it is what comes out of you - what you say - what you do - that makes you unclean.
Words can hurt you - and the one to whom you say them. Those foul words that roll off the tongue so easily - they do defile you. They are unclean - and they came from within you. In fact, at this point, you might realize that those words you said may hurt you more than they hurt the person at whom you directed them.
How do we keep from doing this? Jesus gave us two commandments - love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Let what comes out of you be love, which will not defile you. Let love be what others see in you, and receive from you, and be clean in heart and mind. Let the blood that Christ shed on the cross be the only ritual cleansing that you need, and the love that you share with others.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
How many of us learned this when we were kids? Or taught it to our kids? Or Grandkids? It sounds good, and it may make us feel better at the time, but it really isn't true.
Too many people suffer from verbal abuse - kids, spouses, employees - at the hands of other kids, parents, spouses, in-laws, fellow employees, or bosses. The truth is, words can hurt. They hurt the one who hears them, and they hurt the one who says them.
The sad thing about words, is that we really can't take them back. We say we take them back; we really did not mean what we said. But once the words leave your mouth - they are out there - forever. You cannot take them back, make the other person un-hear them.
Jesus tells the Pharisees, and again later, his disciples, about this. The Pharisees have harassed Jesus and his followers about how they eat, how they do not follow the rituals for handwashing, and bowl washing, or anything of the rituals used to prepare one for eating. They defile the food they eat by eating with unclean hands.
Jesus tells them - it is not what you eat, or how you eat it, that makes you unclean - it is what comes out of you - what you say - what you do - that makes you unclean.
Words can hurt you - and the one to whom you say them. Those foul words that roll off the tongue so easily - they do defile you. They are unclean - and they came from within you. In fact, at this point, you might realize that those words you said may hurt you more than they hurt the person at whom you directed them.
How do we keep from doing this? Jesus gave us two commandments - love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Let what comes out of you be love, which will not defile you. Let love be what others see in you, and receive from you, and be clean in heart and mind. Let the blood that Christ shed on the cross be the only ritual cleansing that you need, and the love that you share with others.
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